Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/June/2021
Version 3
APPLICATION GUIDELINE
COMPANY FORMATION APPLICATION FOR A NEW COMPANY
Table of Contents
DMCC PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL SETUP ................................. 2
POLICY AND IMPORTANT NOTES ......................................................................... 2
PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................... 2
STAGE 1 - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AND PRE - APPROVAL .................................... 2
Steps .......................................................................................................... 2
Requirements ................................................................................................ 4
Output ......................................................................................................... 5
STAGE 2 - REGISTRATION .................................................................................. 5
Steps .......................................................................................................... 5
Requirements ................................................................................................ 6
Output ......................................................................................................... 7
STAGE 3 - LICENSING ........................................................................................ 7
Scenario ‘2’ Steps ........................................................................................... 7
Requirements ................................................................................................ 8
Output ......................................................................................................... 9
STAGE 4 POST LICENSING ............................................................................... 9
FURTHER INFORMATION ................................................................................... 9
Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/ June /2021
2
DMCC PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL SETUP
This application guideline is intended to clarify the submission requirements and does not need to be
submitted to DMCC.
POLICY AND IMPORTANT NOTES
DMCC Authority reserves the right to request additional documents at any stage of the application
process.
Failure to comply with the requirements at any stage could result in the cancellation of the application.
Applications received with incomplete information / documentation will be returned or not accepted,
until all requirements are fulfilled.
No refund of fees will be possible at any stage of the application.
PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS
Express your interest in company setup:
Step 1: If you have already contacted DMCC and received your reference number, please contact
your assigned Business Setup Executive to start the process; otherwise, submit the ‘Apply Online’
form through our website at https://www.dmcc.ae/free-zone/application-form
; or send an email to
setup@dmcc.ae, or call 600 54 DMCC (600 54 3622) / +971 4 4249600; or alternatively, visit the Client
Registration Centre on Level 1, Almas Tower, JLT.
Step 2: Once you confirm that you wish to start, your Business Setup Executive (BSE) will create an
account on DMCC’s portal for you to log in, receive your username, setup your link and create your
password. Please take a note of your login details.
STAGE 1 - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AND PRE - APPROVAL
Steps
Once you log in to the DMCC portal, you can either select the standard DMCC company setup option
or one of the three available company setup packages; Prime Plus, Jump Start, or Basic Biz Package
.
Once selected, you will need to complete the full application, enter all the required information, upload
the relevant documents, followed by the pre-approval payment and then submit the application.
*You may refer to the ‘Help and Resources’ section for further guidance.
Step 1: Accept the Terms & Warranties mentioned on the online portal in order to continue using the
DMCC portal. Please note that this document will need to be accepted once, and that is during the first
portal login.
Step 2: Click on “Proceed with Application” to start your company application.
Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/ Dec /2020
Step 3: Add Shareholders and Officers - Enter the Applicant details and select their relevant role in
the company. An Applicant has to be assigned to one of the following roles (Shareholder / Consultant
/ Power of Attorney (POA)). Add all the shareholder(s) passports and personal details and mention the
number of shares. Please note that once you select the roles for applicants and shareholders, further
amendments are not allowed. In order to amend roles, you will need to delete the applicant or particular
shareholder and re-enter. Make sure to enter the Share Value, Saveand then proceed with Next”.
Step 4: Select Company Name, Bank & Financial Year Propose three preferred company names.
Choose the bank that you intend to open an account with and add the financial year dates.
*You may refer to the ‘Company Name Reservation Rules and Guidelines’ for the restricted names list
as per UAE rules.
Step 5: Add Business ActivitiesSelect your company business activity.
Step 6: Select Value Added Services Select add-on services for your company if needed.
Step 7: Review and Confirm Application Review your company details that you have entered and
confirm. Once this step is passed where the application is reviewed and confirmed, you will not be able
to go back and make any changes or amendments.
Step 8: Upload Required Documents In this section, please upload the required documents. The
required documents will depend on your application and information that have been filled into the
application. Some of these documents will be system-generated documents.
Step 9: Pay and Submit ApplicationPlease top up your portal balance with the amount specified
(fees are non-refundable), then make sure to submit the application. Company Status on the
homepage will be updated to Submitted” and an email notification will be sent to the applicant.
*Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer or at the DMCC cashier directly.
Step 10: In case of any missing requirements or documents, the assigned BSE will be in touch with
you within 12 working hours.
Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/ Dec /2020
Requirements
Documents to be uploaded in the
DMCC New Company Setup
Application
Remarks
(Only copies are required at this stage)
HR Signatory Appointment Letter This is a system-generated letter that
must be filled in and signed by the
shareholders and uploaded.
Passport Visa page and Emirates ID -
front and back - for each (Consultant /
POA / Shareholder / Director / Manager
/ Secretary)
UAE residence visa and Emirates ID front
and back is required if applicable.
Proof of residential address in country of
residence for each (Shareholder /
Director / Manager / Secretary).
Any of the below can be provided:
Valid tenancy contract.
Utility bill (not older than 6 months).
Bank confirmation letter (not older
than 6 months).
Any official document issued by any
authority in the country of residence (not
older than 6 months).
Consultant’s Appointment Letter
(Optional)
This is mandatory only if a consultant is
acting on behalf of the company.
Power of Attorney (POA) (Optional) An attested POA will be required if any of
the (Shareholder / Director / Manager /
Secretary) wishes to grant signing powers
to others on their behalf. Original to be
sighted by a DMCC representative or a
DMCC International Service Provider.
Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/ Dec /2020
Output
Pre-approval can take anywhere from 5 to 10 working days.
*This step could take longer in special circumstances.
An email notification will be sent to you, upon the completion of the Pre-Approval stage, DMCC would
have provided the following:
Company Name Reservation.
Management and Compliance approval.
Third Party Introductory Letter - In case a third-party approval is required (applicable only for certain
activities), you will be issued an introductory letter addressed to the regulated authority for their
approval.
The Pre-Approvals are valid for 60 days from date of issuance. Registration (Stage 2) must be
completed before the expiry date of the pre-approval.
STAGE 2 - REGISTRATION
Steps
Step 1: Confirm Value Added Services and Financial Year Please confirm your selected Value-
Added Services (VAS) and Financial Year.
Step 2: Property Type Please select from the dropdown menu your preferred property type.
Step 3: Upload Third Party NOC In case a third-party approval is required (applicable only for
certain activities), please reach out to the relevant third-party authority to receive a No Objection
Certificate (NOC). Upload the NOCs once received.
Step 4: Customer Payment Top up your account with the required amount. The payment will be
calculated on the DMCC portal account based on your selections. (None of the fees are refundable).
The fees will comprise of the following:
1. Registration Fees.
2. License Fees.
3. Articles of Association (AOA) fees.
4. Establishment Card Fees.
5. Flexi Desk Fees (if applicable).
6. VAS Fees (if selected by applicant).
Step 5: Prepare the relevant documents as per the requirements mentioned by your assigned BSE
and arrange for a meeting with them or with the International Service Provider* for the document’s
submission.
Once the above steps are completed, your application will proceed to the registration stage.
Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/ Dec /2020
Requirements
Documents to be submitted to
your DMCC Executive
Remarks
(Originals are required at this stage)
Specimen signature form for each
(Shareholder / Director / Manager /
Secretary)
Signed in the presence of a DMCC Executive
or an International Service Provider* or
notarised or verification through video call**
Passport and Visa page for each
(Shareholder / Director / Manager /
Secretary)
UAE residence is required (If applicable).
Original to be sighted by the DMCC Executive
or an International Service Provider* or
notarised or verification through video call**
Shareholders’ Resolution
This is a system generated template to be
signed in the presence of a DMCC Executive
or an International Service Provider*
or
notarised and attested by the UAE Embassy
or a Consulate in the country of origin or by
any Arab Embassy if a UAE Embassy or
Consulate is not available
or verification
through video call**
Articles of Association (A
OA)
This is a system generated document to be
signed on each page in the presence of a
DMCC Executive or an International Service
Provider or notarized or verification through
video call**
Standard Terms & Warranties
This is a system-generated document to be
signed by any of the authorised signatories and
uploaded on the portal.
*The International Service Provider is a company (either a consultancy, audit or legal firm)
empowered by DMCC to help in company formation and to witness client’s signatures on relevant
documents as well as to sight original documents on behalf of the DMCC Free Zone.
Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/ Dec /2020
Output
Registration can take from 2 to 3 working days. Upon the completion of the Registration stage, DMCC
shall issue the following:
Provisional Approval Letter.
Introduction Bank Letter.
Articles of Association (AFS Declaration).
Flexi Desk Reservation Certificate - In case your selected property type is Flexi Desk.
Both Provisional Approval and Bank letter are valid for 90 days from date of issuance.
STAGE 3 - LICENSING
Scenario 1: If the property type selected is Flexi Desk with no third-party approval required and the Share
Capital is less than AED 500,000, the application will directly proceed to the license issuance (Stage 3
will not be applicable).
Scenario 2: For all other scenarios, the client will be required to submit documents based on the criteria
selected.
Scenario ‘2’ Steps
Step 1: Upload Third Party NOC - In case a third-party approval is required (applicable only for certain
activities), please reach out to the relevant third-party authority to receive a No Objection Certificate.
Upload the NOCs once received.
Step 2: Upload Bank Letter In case your share capital is more than AED 500,000, please reach out
to your preferred bank with the introduction letter provided by DMCC to receive the bank deposit letter.
Step 3: Upload Property Documents In case your selected property type is not a Flexi Desk, please
arrange for the property documents and schedule a meeting with your assigned Business Setup
Executive.
Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/ Dec /2020
Requirements
Documents to be submitted to your DMCC
Executive
Remarks
(Originals are required at this stage)
A. Leased Property
1.
A valid property lease agreement covering
the license validity period (original to be
sighted or a scanned copy of the original**
Evidence of Property Ownership:
1. Title Deed (original to be sighted) or a
scanned copy of the original**
2. Current dated Certificate of Ownership
from the Tower Developer or Building
Management Company.
OR
DMCC Serviced Office Contract.
OR
Non DMCC Serviced Office Contract.
B. Owned Property Under the Same DMCC
Company Name
Evidence of Property Ownership:
1. Title Deed (original to be sighted) or a
scanned copy of the original**
2. Current dated Certificate of Ownership
Lease agreement (tenancy contract) must:
- State the exact company name as reserved
by DMCC.
- Be valid for at least one year from the date of
submission.
- Mention the full unit details (unit number,
tower name and area size) and lease details
(start date, expiry date and rent amount).
- If the property is a joint purchase; all
landlords’ names and signatures are required
on the lease agreement.
- Original signed lease agreement and to be
sighted or a scanned copy of the original**
along with a copy of covering letter (space
confirmation letter), annual operation fitness
certificate, third party liability insurance and
layout plan which will be provided by the
Business Centre.
Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by
Concordia (Fit-out Approval Company):
Contact details:
www.concordiadubai.com
;
+971 4 4405067
A copy is required (Applicable before issuing the
license for Industrial units, Retail units and Retail
Activities).
For other property types (not mandatory for
issuing the license but has to be submitted after
license to open the full visa quota).
Not applicable for Flexi Desk or Serviced Offices.
** The highlighted options are classified as Temporary Solutions that will be available for a limited
period until further notice by DMCC.
Application for New Company (Individual)
Update Date: 30/ Dec /2020
Output
Licensing can take from 2 to 3 working days. Upon the completion of the Licensing stage, DMCC
shall issue the following system generated documents:
Company License.
Attested DMCC Articles of Association (AOA).
Share Certificate(s).
Certificate of Registration.
Flexi Desk Tenancy Contract if the selected property is Flexi Desk.
In case the applicant opted for any of the Temporary Solutions highlighted options in the previous
steps, then the Original License, AoA, and Certificates can only be collected from DMCC upon
receiving the previously required documents in original
Companies at this point may proceed to apply for the employment visa online, if:
The property leased is a Flexi Desk or a Serviced Office.
The Certificate of Conformity (COC) or Annual Operational Fitness Certificate (AOFC) has been
submitted to DMCC representative.
STAGE 4 POST LICENSING
Within 1 month from the license issuance date, the below must be uploaded in the Enhanced Follow
Up service request:
Documents to be Uploaded in the Enhanced
Follow Up Service Request
Remarks
Bank Share Capital Deposit Letter or Bank
Statement reflecting the deposited amount
(stamped).
If the share capital is below AED 500,000, it is
required.
Sample Company Letterhead with stamp
Company’s Specimen Letterhead with the
company’s stamp on it.
Share Certificate(s)
Original to be stamped.
Third Party Liability Insurance
If the license address is a physical office.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Visit our DMCC Help Centre at www.dmcc.ae/helpcentre
.